God has faithfully brought us through yet another storm. Thank You, Lord! God is also faithfully bringing me and many of those that I love through personal storms.

As I watched out the window last night, I saw wind that whipped branches around like ribbons. Rain blew sideways. For several hours, it was hard to see that the storm was passing. It seemed like we were ‘stalled’ in this storm. Too often when I am in a personal storm, it is hard to see past what is happening at the moment. It seems that I will be ‘whipped’ and ‘beat up’ for some undetermined amount of time. Despair and hopelessness can become all that I know. â€œWhere are You, God? I want to escape!!!â€

Last night, even though I could not see â€“ I could hearthe meteorologist on TV assure me that the storm was moving on. That meteorologist had the facts based on what he could see from radar and even an airplane reconnaissance that had been done. And so, in my personal storms, it would be wisdom for me to listen to the One who actually has the knowledge, the Truth. Neither my own mind nor the reasoning of well-meaning friends can be taken over what God tells me through His Word and our time together.

Thirteen years ago, I went through divorce after almost 20 years of marriage. In the first few months, I tried desperately to find my footing while also trying to help my three children. I was in the middle of a storm and I could not see the end. I felt alone and yet surrounded by many people who had either an opinion, a prayer to offer, or nothing â€“ leaving me truly alone. It was hard to move out of our home with two teenagers and a young child and find a place we could afford on my salary. I didn’t even have a bed. But as I look back on that time, I remember going into my room at night and laying down on my pallet and having the most intimate time with my Lord. I devoured His words of Scripture. I poured out everything I was thinking. God sifted through and in those dark, late night hours, I heard many truths. I grew because God was faithful. I learned that storms do pass. I learned Who really has control of all storms. Remember Job? Satan could only do what God said he could do. I am so very glad that God has a choke-chain on satan!

If there is a storm in your life, be wise; be careful to whom you turn, even yourself. Your flesh can be deceitful. Push in closer to God. Spend time with the One who is faithful and Truth; who is comfort and healing. The One who loves you more than you can imagine. So invest the time to find out!